Minister highlights the role of Dishta-Gna festival in promoting peace and enhancing Tourism

Addis Ababa, November 29, 2024 (FBC) – The Dishta-Gna Festival, celebrating the New Year for the Ari Community, took center stage at the National Theatre in Addis Ababa, themed “Culture for Peace, Brotherhood, and Development.”

Attendees included government officials, members of the House of Peoples Representatives, Ari Community members, scholars, and guests, all gathering for the festive occasion.

Shewit Shanka, the Minister of Culture and Sports, spoke at the event, emphasizing the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting public holidays, along with cultural and historical values. The Ministry is dedicated to encouraging nations, nationalities, and peoples to celebrate their culture, languages, and histories in line with the country’s constitution.

The Dishta-Gna festival embodies important values and activities vital for fostering peace and unity, with the government pledging to protect and promote such cultural events. “These public festivals are essential and deserve our support,” she stated.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted the potential of cultural festivals to attract both local and international tourism, contributing to the growth of the tourism sector. She advocated for the proper documentation, preservation, and promotion of the Dishta-Gna festival to ensure it is passed down through generations, expressing her commitment to collaborate with the community for the country’s development and peace.

Abraham Atta, Chief Administrator of the Ari Zone, remarked that the Dishta-Gna festival symbolizes respect, understanding, peace, reconciliation, love, and gratitude. “We are leveraging this rich culture as a means of reconciliation during conflicts between individuals and communities,” he noted, urging a focus on solidarity and love to foster a unified national identity.

Professor Gebre Yintiso, President of Jinka University and a member of the Ari community, echoed similar sentiments, explaining that the festival serves to bridge gaps among people. “The Dishta-Gna festival marks the New Year for the Ari Community in the Ari Zone of South Ethiopia. It is a celebration of peace and togetherness, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution of differences,” he articulated.

The festival also included a communal meal shared with low-income members of the community, showcasing traditional dishes that reflect the heritage of the Ari people in an exhibition.